01.30.09
“LITTLE BY LITTLE”
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Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Daily Disciples Devotional, January 30
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LITTLE BY LITTLE
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Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land.
Exodus 23:30
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In Chapter 23, God grants the Israelites various promises, including utterly overthrowing and completely cutting off their enemies. The Lord further states that He will bless their bread and water and take their sicknesses away. With the Lord on their side, the Israelites cannot lose. But in verse 30, the Lord says that He will fulfill His promises by driving out their enemies little by little. Why? Why doesn’t God just wipe their enemies out like He did the Egyptians as they entered the Red Sea? What benefit is there to do it little by little?
Exodus 23:29 says “I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the beast of the field become too numerous for you.” In other words, a place of instant abundance and blessings would be harmful for the Israelites. Blessings are not true blessings unless they come when we are able to handle them. Think of areas in your life that you would love to see the Lord work in you today. Maybe you need deliverance from sin that seems to have trapped you or maybe it is your finances. The list can go on and on. God wants to deliver you and bless you, but He will only give you what you can handle. God knows what is best for us. Even the blessings can become curses if we do not have the wisdom, maturity and honesty to handle them.
The Lord’s timing is never too late nor too slow. He is patient and kind, assessing the whole situation, so that when He fulfills His promises in you, you will be able to receive them in peace. We want the quick fix or the instant gratification. We want the immediate and the miraculous. However, God’s ways are not our ways and He desires to give us a future life in His promises. Little by little, complete victory will be yours by having faith and patience day by day.
01.29.09
“MOST PERSONAL OF RELATIONSHIPS”
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From Eugene Peterson, Living the Message (San Francisco: Harper Publications, 1996), May 8.
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MOST PERSONAL OF RELATIONSHIPS
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Satan’s angel did his best to get me down, what he in fact did was push me to my knees. 2Corinthians 12:7B-8A The Message
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The last sentence of Lamentations is blunt and direct: “…has though utterly rejected us? Art thou exceedingly angry with us?” [Lam. 5:22]. But this anger is addressed in the most personal of relationships, prayer. Prayer is suffering’s best result. In prayer, God’s anger is neither sentimentally glossed nor cynically debunked, but seized as a lever to pry open the door of redemption. The sufferer, by praying, does not ask God to think well of him or her, but asks that God will enact redemption, working “fruits meet for repentance” though Jesus Christ who suffered and died for all.
01.28.09
“KINGDOM GREATNESS”
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From Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby, Experiencing God Day by Day Devotional (Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2006) Jun 23.
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KINGDOM GREATNESS
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“For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as One who serves.” Luke 22:27
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The measure of greatness in the kingdom of God differs vastly from that of the world. Our society idolizes the rich, the powerful, the beautiful and the athletic. We even make celebrities out of those who brazenly flaunt their immorality. The world claims it is demeaning to serve others. However, God’s kingdom completely rejects the world’s measure for esteem, giving the greatest honor to the one who serves most. The person who serves selflessly, lovingly, without complaint, and without seeking recognition is highly regarded in the kingdom of God.
When Jesus and his disciples entered the upper room, the disciples looked for a prominent place to sit; Jesus looked for a place to serve. As they awkwardly waited to be served, Jesus took a towel and basin and washed their feet (John 13:1-15). We Christians like to refer to ourselves as servants, but we are seldom content to be treated as servants! We are tempted to adopt the world’s evaluation of importance. But when we look to Jesus as our model, we see that it takes a far more noble character to serve than to be served.
The world will estimate your importance by the number of people serving you. God is more concerned with the number of people you are serving. If you struggled to be a servant, your heart may have shifted away from the heart of God. Ask Jesus to teach you selflessness and to give you the strength to follow His example. Watch for Jesus’ invitation to join Him in serving others. It will come.
01.27.09
“LOOK AGAIN AND THINK”
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From Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest An Updated Edition In Today’s Language, (Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House Publishers, 1992) January 27.
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Look Again And Think
“Do not worry about your life….” (Matthew 6:25)
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A warning which needs to be reiterated is that “the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches,” and the lust of other things entering in, will choke out the life of God that God puts in us (Matthew 13:22). We are never free from the recurring tides of this invasion. If the frontline of the attack is not about clothes and food, it may be about money or the lack of money; or friends or the lack of friends; or the line may be drawn over difficult circumstances. It is one steady invasion, and these things will come in like a flood, unless we allow the Spirit of God to raise up the banner against it.
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“I say to you, do not worry about your life…” Our Lord says be careful only about one thing–our relationship to Him. But our common sense shouts loudly and says – “That is absurd, I must consider how I am going to live, I must consider what I am going to eat and drink.” Jesus says you must not. Beware of allowing yourself to think that He says this while not understanding your circumstances. Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and He says we must not think about these things to the pint where they become the primary concern of our life. Whenever they are cmpeting concerns in your life, be sure always to put your relationship to God first.
“Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (6:34) How much trouble has begun to threaten you to-day? What kind of mean little demons have been looking into your life and saying , “Now what are your plans for next month – this summer?” Jesus tells us not to worry about any of these things. Look again and think. Keep your mind on the “much more” of your heavenly Father (6:30).
01.26.09
“A PRAYER OF TRUST”
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From John Ballie, A Diary of Private Prayer (London: Oxford University Press, 1936) Fifth Day, Evening.
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A PRAYER OF TRUST
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28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Matt 10:28-31 NIV
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Almighty God, in this hour of quiet I seek communion with Thee. From the fret and fever of the day’s business, from the world’s discordant noises, from the blame of men, from the confused thoughts and vain imaginations of my own heart, I would now turn aside and seek the quietness of Thy presence. All day long have I toiled and striven; but now, in stillness of heart and in the clear light of Thine eternity, I would ponder the pattern my life has been weaving.
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May there fall upon me now, O God, a great sense of Thy power and Thy glory, so that I may see all earthly things in their true measure.
Let me not be ignorant of this great thing that one day is with Thee as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day.
Give me now such understanding of Thy perfect holiness as will make an end of pride in my own attainment.
Grant unto me now such a vision of Thin uncreated beauty as will make me dissatisfied with all lesser beauties.
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Though earth and man were gone,
And suns and universes cease to be,
And Thou were left alone,
Every existence would exist in Thee.
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I am content, O Father, to leave my life in Thy hands, believing that the very hairs on my head are numbered by Thee. I am content to give over my will to Thy control, believing that I can find in Thee a righteousness that I could never have won for myself. I am content to leave all my dear ones to Thy care, believing that Thy love for them is greater than my own. I am content to leave in Thy hands the causes of truth and justice, and the coming of Thy Kingdom in the hearts of men, believing that my ardor for them is but a feeble shadow of Thy purpose. To Thee, O God, be glory for ever. Amen.
01.23.09
“THE GOOD OR THE BEST”
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From Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest An Updated Edition In Today’s Language, (Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House Publishers, 1992) May 25.
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THE GOOD OR THE BEST
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If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left. (Genesis 13:9)
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As soon as you begin to live the life of faith in God, fascinating and physically gratifying possibilities will open up before you. These things are yours by right, but if you are living the life of faith you will exercise your right to waive your rights, and let God make your choice for you. God sometimes allows you to get into a place of testing where your own welfare would be the appropriate thing to consider if you were not living the life of faith. But if you are, you will joyfully waive your right and allow God to make your choice for you. This is the discipline God uses to transform the natural into the spiritual through obedience to His voice.
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Whenever our right becomes the guiding factor of our lives, it dulls our spiritual insight. The greatest enemy of the life of faith in God is not sin, but good choices which are not quite good enough. The good is always the enemy of the best. In this passage, it would seem that the wisest thing in the world for Abram to do would be to choose. It was his right, and the people around him would consider him to be a fool for not choosing.
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Many of us do not continue to grow spiritually because we prefer to choose on the basis of our rights, instead of relying on God to make the choice for us. We have to learn to walk according to the standard which has it s eyes focused on God. And God says to us, as He did to Abram, “…walk before Me…” (Genesis 17:11)
01.22.09
“IRON SHARPENS IRON”
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From Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby, Experiencing God Day by Day Devotional (Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2006) May 15
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IRON SHARPENS IRON
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As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17
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The Christian Life is a pilgrimage. At times the road’s difficult, and we get lonely. Sometimes we may become discouraged and consider abandoning the journey. It is at such times that God will place a friend alongside us. One of God’s most precious gifts to us is friends who encourage us and lovingly challenge us to “keep going”
According to Scripture, a friend is one who challenges us to become all that God intends. Jonathon could have succeeded his father to become the next king of Israel. But he loved his friend David, and he encouraged him to follow God’s will, even though it mean Jonathon would forfeit his own claim to the throne (1Sam. 19:1-7).
The mark of biblical friends is that their friendship draws you closer to Christ. They “sharpen” you and motivate you to do what is right. True friends tell you the truth and even risk hurting your feelings because they love you and have your best interest at heart (Prov.27:6).
Be careful in your choice of friends! Jesus chose His closest friends wisely. He did not look for perfect friends, but friends whose hearts were set to follow God. It is equally important to examine the kind of friend you are to others. As a friend it is our duty to put the need of others first (Prov. 17:17). Strive to find godly friends who will challenge you to become the person God desires. When you have found them, be receptive to the way God uses them to help you become spiritually mature. Strive also to be the kind of friend that helps others become more like Christ.
01.21.09
“FAULTLESS…WITH EXCEEDING JOY”
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From Mrs. Charles Cowman, Streams in the Desert 2, reprinted (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1966, Sept. 7.
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FAULTLESS…WITH EXCEEDING JOY
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To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy–(Jude 24)
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When I was a young girl an intense passion for music was awakened within my soul. Father brought great joy into my life by presenting me with a beautiful organ. It would thrill me to the very fiber of my being as the day slipped by to be able to draw forth such wonderful harmony from my beloved instrument.
I used to sit at the organ in the early morning hours, just as the birds began to awaken, and through the open windows listen to their sweet little bird notes as they mingled with the melody of the organ, like a paean of praise to our Creator!
Then, one morning, quite suddenly, and at a time when I was preparing with girlish enthusiasm for my first concert appearance, one of the notes became faulty. How the discordant sound grated upon my sensitive ear! Father sensing my grief said: “Never mind, daughter, I will have the tuner come.” Long hours the tuner worked on that faulty note before it again rang out all sweet and true with the others. And the concert was a success because the tuner was successful! Mrs. Charles Cowman
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Good Tuner, why
This ruthless, slow examination?
Why, on that one poor note,
Expend such careful concentration?
Just pass it by.
Now I will let my soul respond to Thee!
And see.
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Then, as the haloed glories of the sunset
flamed and gleamed,
Swift through the storied windows long
shafts of crimson streamed:
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And we poor whispering wayfarers heard
round about and o’er us,
The throbbing, thundering triumphs of the
Hallelujah Chorus!
01.20.09
“HE DID NOT TAKE THINGS PERSONALLY”
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Laurie Beth Jones, Jesus in Blue Jeans. A Practical Guide to Everyday Spirituality (New York: Hyperion, 1997), pp. 22-26.
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HE DID NOT TAKE THINGS PERSONALLY
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“The Lord Yahweh comes to my help, so that I am untouched by the insults.”–Isaiah 50:5-7 (New Jerusalem Bible)
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Jesus did not take the insults and accusations of the scribes and the Pharisees personally. He saw their words as emanating from impure hearts, so he didn’t agonize over the mud they slung. He knew their bitterness was rooted in their own misery and not caused by him. He concentrated on his mission, despite their insults. His refusal to take their attacks personally extended even unto death. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
IN his poem “The Wood-Pile” Robert Frost describes his experience of walking through a forest. “A small bird flew before me. He was careful / To put a tree between us when lighted. / …He thought that I was after him for a feather–/ The white one in his tail; like the one who takes / Everything said as personal to himself.” Frost finds the self-centeredness of the bird amusing, as if in the entire forest there is only one thing worth seeing or having–the bird’s tail feather. Yet haven’t we all encountered people like that, people who seem to think that every comment or action exists for the sole purpose of doing them harm?
A friend of mine had a boss who used to spend hours every day monitoring everyone’s phone calls. Newly appointed to his position, he was sure that the team was now out to get him and would use every opportunity to make him look bad. Granted, the team did not care for him much, but the truth was, their phone calls did not concern him at all–or contained only the slightest references to him, as one might wave off a fly at a picnic. I remember once being offended because a man sitting next to me on a plane seemed unresponsive to my jokes. Only when we were exiting did I realize that he was deaf.
Maturity is realizing that we are not the center of the world…or the office…or the team. Maturity is realizing that not every word spoken or action taken centers around–or is directed toward–us.
Several years ago I attended the final sermon of a minister who was retiring. She was exhausted and wanted to replenish herself with a long-deserved sabbatical. She was a flamboyant woman who often spoke the truth from the pulpit in highly personal and entertaining terms, and her tenure had been attended with much attention from the media not a small bit of controversy. As I stood in the vestibule after her farewell, I couldn’t help but overhear various comments from the people who had been in the congregation. A man who I knew had recently gone bankrupt said, “Yep–it’s the system that beat her. She just couldn’t take the financial pressure.” A woman who was in the throes of a divorce remarked, “I’m sure it’s her husband who pushed her to this. You can’t carry such a heavy load without support at home.” The florist who decorated the halls of the church gushed, “Could you believe that yellow dress? Wasn’t she just like an Easter lily up there?” A reporter who was mingling in the crowd commented, “I’m sure there must be some ulterior motive behind her resignation. You know her. Why did she really leave?” It was suddenly apparent to me that this minister’s decision was being interpreted by everyone according to his or her personal circumstances. Probably none of us could clearly see her for who she was, because she was in so many ways being used as a mirror by each of us. We were taking her actions personally.
On a recent tour of Europe I was flabbergasted when one of the local guides in Italy began hurling insults at our guide, upset by something she had said. In response, she simply smiled, tilted her head and walked away. When I asked her later why she had ignored his insult, she replied, “Many of the guides hired by that particular agency aren’t — shall we say — refined. What he said was merely a reflection of him. It had nothing to do with me.”
Proverbs 12:16 (The Living Bible) tells us “A fool is quick tempered; a wise person stays cool when insulted.”
A friend of mine told me that as she advanced toward her dream of getting a PhD, certain family members actually tried to stop her, telling her that she was acting “out of her element.” “I just kept saying to myself, Nancy, these insults aren’t about me, they are about them–and their own fears and feelings of inadequacy.”
Jesus did not have the time to pay heed to every insult or track down every rumor. His mission was very important and he stuck to it, despite the distractions that presented themselves.
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“The Lord Yahweh comes to my help, so that I am untouched by the insults.”–Isaiah 50:5-7 (New Jerusalem Bible)
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Jesus did not take things personally.
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Question
Do you let insults “wound” you, or let them pass right through?
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Question
What insults are being or have been hurled at you?
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Question
Could you use others’ insults as sources of information about their needs, flaws, and personalities?
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Question
Name a time when the restraint of someone’s temper saved the day.
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Question
Name a time when the loss of someone’s temper escalated the situation.
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Power Connection:
Dear Lord, help me not to be so quick to assume that everyone is talking about me, or that every insult or oversight is meant to do me harm. Help me not to be like Frost’s bird in the forest–certain that everyone is interested only in getting the white feather from my tail. Help me realize that I am just a small part of the forest, and that in general people are hiking through with their own , much larger agendas. Help me feel invincible and invisible when slander or insults are hurled at me. Help me remember not to take things personally. Amen
